1994 Kalin Cellars Livermore Valley Semillon

13.5% alc., released March 2003. Sourced from the Wente Estate Vineyard located near Livermore. The vines were planted in the 1880s from Chateau d'Yquem cuttings brought to Livermore by Charles Wetmore. Wente gave up trying to sell Semillon to the American public, but the Leightons were happy to take the grapes, believing, "Semillion can produce wines which are fully comparable to the highest levels of quality realized in dry white wines regardless of the grape variety involved." 20%-25% Sauvignon Blanc is added. The wine was fermented in French oak barrels for 10 months. Bottled with fining, but with no filtration in August 1997. · Golden yellow in color. Appealing aromas of buttered toast, pear and butterscotch. The rich flavors of ripe tropical fruits, roasted nuts and wax are delicious. The wine has a sensuous and viscous mouth feel and the oak is perfectly integrated. A seamless wine of great distinction that can easily age another ten years. I tried this one with Sichuan orange shrimp lettuce wraps and it was a perfect match. Reviewed June 12, 2006

Winery: Kalin Cellars